Bishop Parkes’ Statement on the death of George Floyd and Subsequent Protests.
“Please join me in reflecting on how we, including our institutions and families can be part of the solution to end cycle of racism in our nation.” Continue reading Bishop Parkes’ Statement on the Death of George Floyd
Sunday Mass Resumes May 31st
Beginning this Sunday, May 31st, Sacred Heart will resume the celebration of Sunday Mass on a modified schedule. Masses will be celebrated at the following times:
– 7:30 am
– 9:30 am (and via livestream here)
– 11:30 am
– 5:30 pm
*The dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass also remains in effect.
Why the change in Mass times? The modified schedule is to allow ample time for the cleaning and sanitizing of the church after each Mass. The church will be open 15 minutes prior to each Mass and we ask that parishioners do not linger after Mass has ended to give us time to prepare for the next celebration.
Seating may be limited due to the configuration of our church pews and aisles. We are asking everyone to follow the ushers’ instructions, filling in the church from the front, and making room for as many as we safely can.
Please be advised that we are asking all parishioners to follow the below safety guidelines if you plan to come in person:
– Use the Florida Avenue main doors for entering and exiting the church, unless special assistance is needed via the Twiggs Street ramp.
– Sanitize your hands upon entering (and leaving) the church.
– Wear a protective mask/covering while inside the church building, except during the reception of communion.
– Follow the ushers’ directions regarding seating.
– Respect the 6-ft social distancing space between you and those not in your immediate household.
Please note that the communion routes will be significantly different, so be attentive to the announcements and instructions from our ushers. Also the bathrooms will not be available at any time during or outside of Mass and childcare will not be provided.
Visit our Latest News & Updates page for more information.
Beginning Monday, May 18, Sacred Heart will resume weekday 12:10 p.m. Mass. The church will be open from 11:45 a.m. until the end of Mass. Please read the guidelines below. Confessions remain by appointment only; please contact the parish office at 813-229-1595 to schedule. Continue reading Daily Mass at Sacred Heart
During this pandemic, we can’t forget about those less fortunate than ourselves. Hopefully, you have read in the bulletin and in our parish emails about the different ministries here at Sacred Heart working with Catholic Charities to help feed the homeless in our community. Our ministries have been preparing breakfast bags and dropping them off every Sunday morning for those living in the Hillsborough Hope tent city. And all the food that we are using to prepare the breakfast bags has been provided by the generosity of you – our parishioners. We asked for your help, and the day before Palm Sunday, we had a collection drive and collected more than 5,700 fruit cups, cookies, breakfast bars, crackers, and snacks, along with 755 juice boxes.
We are going to have another collection drive for the guests of Hillsborough Hope, so mark your calendars for this Saturday, May 9, from 10 a.m. – noon for our next Twiggs Street drive-by collection. Items needed include:
The weekly bulletin and this column are a good thing. I enjoy writing; I enjoy the process of thinking about what I want to write, starting to write, and then sometimes watching the column take on a new direction of thought. Now and again by inspiration or necessity, I might write a whole month of columns or more at a go. Late in the month of February, I had produced pastor columns for the first weekend in March (First Sunday in Lent) all the way through and including Easter Sunday. Check that off the “to-do list.” Then life changed as the world declared a pandemic, the churches closed, and the world found out it was a lot safer to be at home. Some columns did not need to be redone: Unmasking (March 15) and the two columns on “Habits of the Heart” (March 22 and 29). When I made the decision to stay with them and not rewrite them in the light of these pandemic days, I thought that they were still appropriate to the moment at hand. In looking at the columns again this morning, it was a good decision. Continue reading Being a Parish
It is so wonderful to see our ministries working to continue to be prayerful and be there for each other during this time of being Safer At Home. See how some of our ministries are coming together and staying connected.
Our Rosary Devotional Group is a group of parishioners who enjoy opening themselves up to God by praying the Rosary. Each month, they meditate on one of the mysteries – Joyful, Sorrowful, Luminous, or Glorious, and members have the opportunity to make prayer requests on behalf of those in need. Last Saturday was their usual meeting date and they did not allow the Safer At Home rules to keep them from meeting. They all met on Zoom and those who didn’t have a computer, called in.
Our Knights of Columbus participate in many projects within our community and within our parish. Their latest project was to assist in collecting food for Hillsborough Hope. Last week, we shared with our parishioners how we are working with Catholic Charities to help feed those residing at Hillsborough Hope, a small city of tents for some of the homeless in our community. We asked for your help and as always, you went above and beyond our expectations in helping those less fortunate. You donated enough food for many weeks. Every Sunday, we will bring 110 bagged breakfasts for those living at Hillsborough Hope. This past Sunday our Knights of Columbus handled the collection and distribution to Hillsborough Hope but some of our other ministries will also be assisting in future weeks. For more information about Hillsborough Hope and some great photos, go here.
Our Open Doors ministry welcomes LGBTQ people of faith to explore their spirituality and share their experience, strength, and hope with one another. In addition to service projects, they gather once a month for prayer and reflection. Next Monday, April 13th, they will be having a virtual “zoom” meeting. Email opendoors.sacredheartfla@gmail.com for information on how to join the meeting.
With the announcement from Bishop Parkes about the suspension of all public Masses and all parish events, programs, and ministry meetings, our goal is to continue our weekly Sunday tradition of celebrating Mass together.
While we can’t be together in person, we’ve recorded Mass celebrating Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion. Watch now and celebrate with us.
With the announcement from Bishop Parkes about the suspension of all public Masses and all parish events, programs, and ministry meetings, our goal is to continue our weekly Sunday tradition of celebrating Mass together.
While we can’t be together in person, we’ve recorded Mass celebrating the 5th Sunday of Lent. Watch now and celebrate with us.
With the recent announcement from Bishop Parkes about the suspension of all public Masses and all parish events, programs, and ministry meetings, our goal is to continue our weekly Sunday tradition of celebrating Mass together.
While we can’t be together in person, we’ve recorded our very first online Mass celebrating the 4th Sunday of Lent. Watch now and celebrate with us.
Effective immediately, and out of an abundance of caution for the spread of the COVID-19 virus, per the direction of Bishop Parkes of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, all public Masses and all parish events, programs, and ministry meetings have been suspended until further notice.
Sacred Heart Church will remain open for private prayer so that the faithful may be present to Our Lord who is fully present in the Tabernacle, however, protocol for social distancing must be observed.
The church will be open weekdays, from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, will be closed on Saturdays, and open on Sundays, from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm.
Additional Considerations:
– The suspension of Masses and parish activity includes the celebration of the Sacraments of Confirmation and Baptism (except in emergency situations).
– In regards to weddings and funerals, pastoral discretion to celebrate is permitted, but participation must be limited. Please consult with one of the Friar priests for details and direction.
– Confession will not be regularly offered as per normal during weekdays and on Saturdays. Individual confessions may be heard at the discretion of the friar priests and with the proper care taken to prevent the spread of this virus.
